Drone Insurance

Drones are among the most coveted devices for aviation enthusiasts, not to mention many social media influencers today. These high-tech toys were previously off-limits for anyone but the military or law enforcement, but recreational and hobby usage of drones has skyrocketed in recent years. 

The problem is that drones can cause massive property destruction and injury from something as simple and unexpected as a strong gust of wind. If you're not careful, you could end up with a hefty lawsuit on your hands.

Fortunately, an independent insurance agent can help you get set up with the right drone insurance policy for you. They'll ensure you get all the protection you need against possible property damage, injury, lawsuits, and more. But for starters, here's a breakdown of drone insurance and why you really need it.

What Is Drone Insurance and What Does It Cover?

Most homeowners insurance policies will pay your claim if you or a member of your family harms someone else or their personal property with a drone. This type of incident falls under the liability coverage portion of homeowners insurance or a renters insurance policy for the following types of claims:

• Property damage: If you damage someone else’s property (e.g., a neighbor’s car) with your drone, your insurance policy will likely pay for the damage. 
• Bodily injury: If you injure someone else with your drone, your insurance policy will likely pay for their medical expenses. 

However, you need to check your specific policy to be sure. Many home insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for aircraft, but radio-controlled model aircraft usually are covered. 

How your home or renters policy defines “aircraft” and whether that definition applies to your drone will determine whether you have liability coverage for drone-related incidents. Be sure to review your coverage with an independent insurance agent and find out for sure before you fly your drone.

When Home Insurance Doesn't Cover Drones

Home insurance and renters insurance sometimes won't cover damage to an actual drone. So if you crash into something, your policy might not pay to repair or replace the drone itself, though it would cover the physical damage to someone else's property. 

It's possible you'd need an entirely separate drone insurance policy to pay to repair or replace your drone. However, you'll again need to review your specific home insurance policy because it might actually include this coverage for drones.

There are a couple of types of drone usage that are never covered by home or renters insurance, however. These include:

• Invasive purposes: If you use your drone to spy on a neighbor or for otherwise invasive or upsetting purposes, your insurance will not cover lawsuits or other claims related to any incidents.
• Business purposes: If you operate a drone for business purposes, such as making a professional video you were hired for, your home or renters insurance won't pay for any related mishaps. You'd need to look into coverage provided by a special type of business insurance for that.

Also, keep in mind that personal property coverage is subject to your deductible and that your homeowners policy may include a dollar limit. If your drone is worth more than the policy’s basic dollar limit, talk with your independent insurance agent about purchasing additional personal property coverage for your drone.

Drone Use Can Lead to Lawsuits

If you think just crashing your drone is a problem, consider that invasion of privacy is also a serious concern for recreational drone users. Drones with onboard cameras or other data collection capabilities can inadvertently “spy” on others when taking pictures or video. Potential invasion of privacy lawsuits can be financially devastating without the right coverage, even if you had no intention of capturing footage of someone else. 

Many people are rightfully concerned about drones and privacy. If you or anyone in your family plans to fly a recreational drone, be aware of the privacy concerns and steer clear of any activities that could put you at risk for this kind of lawsuit. 

But regardless of your drone's intended purpose, ensure you have adequate liability coverage through either your home or renters insurance or a separate drone policy before flying.

Save on Valuable Items Insurance

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

Request a Quote

Should I Purchase Additional Drone Insurance?

Homeowners or renters insurance is probably sufficient for most recreational drone users. But if you plan to fly your drone often, or you frequently fly in an area where there's a higher probability of causing personal injury or property damage, you may want to consider getting additional coverage.

You can purchase a separate drone insurance policy that goes above and beyond what's included in your home or renters policy, including medical and accidental death coverage for your own injuries (not covered under home insurance), as well as additional liability coverage. This coverage would kick in after your existing limits have been exhausted. 

Also, if you fly a drone for business purposes, your homeowners or renters policy does not apply. Commercial drone operators need special commercial drone insurance.

Drone Regulations and Safety Tips

It's critical to be aware of drone regulations before purchasing one. These extend beyond the type of insurance coverage you need. Here are a few drone regulations and safety tips to be aware of.

• Recreational drones that weigh more than 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA for a $5 fee. Keep your registration certificate in your possession at all times when operating your drone. Your registration must be renewed every three years.
• Don’t fly your recreational drone above 400 feet, and keep it within your line of sight at all times.
• Don’t fly within five miles of an airport unless you contact the airport and control tower first. Steer clear of other restricted areas (e.g., the White House, military installations).
• Let your neighbors know about your drone to avoid causing alarm.
• Avoid flying near people, crowds, or stadiums.
• Unmanned aircraft that weigh over 55 pounds require special registration and permission.

Be sure to read up on any local ordinances or laws about drone usage in your area before you consider getting one for yourself, as well.

How to Insure Your Recreational Drone

Hobby drone insurance is new and evolving. While you may be able to get all the coverage you need with your home or renters insurance policy, don’t rely on assumptions. 

Your best bet is to get the advice of a knowledgeable independent insurance agent. A local agent can help you assess your existing coverage and, if necessary, can work with multiple insurance companies to find the right policy for your drone. 

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent?

Independent insurance agents are experts in finding you the right kind of drone insurance, home insurance, and any other type of coverage you need. They can shop and compare policies from tons of different insurance companies for you, then present you with only the best quotes together in one place. Also, they're available down the road to help you file claims if you ever need to.